ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app

Disability Resources

The role of Disability Resources in the SDSC is to facilitate equal access to University classes, programs, and activities for students with disabilities.  Because access is a shared University responsibility, the SDSC serves as a resource for faculty, staff and administrators on creating accessible and inclusive environments. 

While ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app is committed to access and inclusion, it is not possible to anticipate all barriers that might exist for individuals with disabilities.  Therefore, the SDSC is the campus department designated by the University to work with students through an interactive process to determine disability and hear requests for reasonable accommodations. 

• Physical Access
• Accessibility in Publications
• Peer Mentor Programs
• Service Animal Policy
• Instructions and Policies

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Physical Access

Building Access 

ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app maintains compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. As our core values suggest, we are committed to providing equal opportunities and access for all. There are many ways in which ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app seeks to not only meet minimal legal standards, but to go above and beyond what is required by law. When possible, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app designs buildings in a manner that offers a greater degree of accessibility and convenience for a variety of situations through the implementation of universal design (UD) strategies. Also known as human-centered design, UD is a process rooted in architecture that can be applied to all aspects of higher education to create inclusive, equitable and sustainable environments that welcome a diverse population.

Historical Buildings

Some buildings on campus were built prior the enactment of disability legislation mandating the removal of architectural barriers. Barrier removal in historical structures can be a challenge. However, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app is committed to providing the most equitable access possible. As such, historical buildings have been retrofitted to account for use by a diverse population.

Pedestrian routes 

Because of natural barriers, such as steep hills, not all pedestrian routes on campus are considered accessible routes. You may  view accessible pedestrian routes here . Accessible routes are indicated by lavender shading.

Natural barriers

The ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app Macomb campus terrain varies from flat land to steep hills. A hilly terrain poses a natural barrier for some individuals with disabilities. The campus addresses this natural barrier by offering alternate mobility routes. To view accessible routes, visit the campus map. In addition, the campus aims to lessen the impact of the hilly terrain through creative master planning.

ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app is located in Macomb, Illinois, a small town in the Midwestern portion of the United States. In this region, weather can be unpredictable and winter weather ranges from mild to severe. Snow and ice can be a physical barrier for everyone. However, it can pose particular accessibility issues for individuals with mobility or vision impairments and certain medical conditions. To assist faculty, staff, students and visitors with disabilities with navigating campus in snowy weather, the SDSC provides information regarding snow removal, safety and winter weather resources. Visit Snow Removal to view this information.

Snow removal

Clearing snow from campus walks is both a science and an art. Warning time, type of snow, type of surface, phases of melting and re-freezing, wind speeds and temperature can all impact the effectiveness of snow removal.  At times, walks that have been previously cleared may appear to be untouched by removal crews due to blowing and drifting of snow. Nonetheless, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app snow removal crews work days, nights, evenings and weekends to ensure routes are clear for travel.

To facilitate focused use of resources during snow, ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app has identified a priority snow removal route. This route is accessible and connects all campus buildings and accessible parking spaces. View the Priority Snow Route page for more information and a map in preparation for travel during winter weather. This route has been reviewed and approved by staff from Facilities Management, Disability Resources, GoWest, University Housing and Dining, members of the ADA Advisory Committee, and Inter-Hall Council.

Master planning

While ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app maintains compliance with ADA standards, recently, Facilities Management added a universal design statement to the ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app design guidelines that all architectural and engineering firms doing business with ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app must follow. Additionally, accessibility is one of the major components in the University's Master Plan Strategic Renovation Matrix, a tool used to determine renovation priorities on campus.

Reporting physical access barriers

Physical barriers in buildings or grounds should be reported immediately to Facilities Management at 309-298-1834 or the Student Development and Success Center at 309-298-1884.

Emergencies

For information about what to do in case of an emergencies, such as natural disasters, fire, violent crimes, etc. see the University's Emergency Reference Guide.

If you experience an urgent access situation before 8:00am or after 4:30pm please contact OPS at 309-298-1949 or dial 911.

If you are stuck in an elevator, pressing the emergency call button will connect you with OPS. If you experience a non-emergency elevator breakdown in the residence halls, you should contact the front desk of the residence hall where the breakdown occurs.

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Accessibility in Publications

ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app Illinois University seeks to provide activities and programs that are inclusive to all participants. To ensure accessibility to all programs, courses and events, the following statements or similar derivatives are necessary for placement on all University publications, program announcements, brochures, flyers and syllabi. The host department, location, and telephone number is always included. Include text or fax telephones numbers when applicable.

1. Publications shall include the following equal access statement:
   

   This document is available in alternative formats upon request by contacting (name, host department.) at (phone number, voice).

2. Registration materials and program announcements, such as bulletins, flyers, brochures, letters, public service announcements, or other materials used to inform the public of the event or program must include the following statement:

   If there are accommodations that we need to provide in order to facilitate your full participation in this program/event, please contact (name, host department) at (phone number/voice). Please allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.

A designated deadline for submission may be included, but every effort must be made to accommodate if a request is made beyond the deadline.
3. If an event includes a meal, the registration materials should include the following statement:
   

   If you have specific dietary requirements, please contact (name, host department) at (phone number/voice).

4. A syllabus for a course shall include the following statement:
   

   Students with disabilities : In accordance with University values and disability law, students with disabilities may request academic accommodations where there are aspects of a course that result in barriers to inclusion or accurate assessment of achievement. To file an official request for disability-related accommodations, please contact the Disability Resources in the Student Development and Success Center at 309-298-1884, disability@wiu.edu or in 125 Memorial Hall. Please notify the instructor as soon as possible to ensure that this course is accessible to you in a timely manner. 

5. Web pages that contain publications, forms or materials that may not be accessible to persons with disabilities should contain the following statement:
   

   If you need this content in an alternative format, please contact [name of individual] at [campus phone number and email].

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Peer Mentor Program

The transition from high school to college is a major turning point in life.  There are many changes to which students must adjust including independence, self-advocacy, and personal responsibility. Most importantly, students are transitioning from childhood to adulthood. SDSC Disability Resources recognizes the challenges inherent to this transition, and the importance of guidance during this phase of life. As such, we offer the Turning Point peer mentor program.

Peer mentors offer students practical advice about the concerns they face. With their mentees, peer mentors address many issues: best approaches in working with faculty members, study skills, time management, and staying organized. Peer mentors also offer a social connection. Students can come into the Student Development and Success Center, located in 125 Memorial Hall, and speak confidentially with any of the mentors at any time.

Says one of our seasoned peer mentors, "In the last two years, I have gone to the activities fair with my freshmen, we've had lunch, and we've met in the library to study. I've worked with students on organizational, study, and stress relief skills; all of those skills are critical to a student's success here. I have also shown my students how to use their accommodations, because the first semester away from home can be overwhelming. I love what I do."

From our mentees, "I got accepted into the mortar board senior honors society, all thanks to you for helping me." "I got an A in my class because of everything you have taught me and all the time we spent together." "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be this involved." These are just some of the testimonials we've heard from students who have engaged the Turning Point Peer Mentoring Program.

Those interested in connecting with a peer mentor can contact the SDSC at 309-298-1884 or email disability@wiu.edu.

Our Peer Mentor

Name: Samantha Cirilo
Year: Junior
Major: Law Enforcement & Justice Administration

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Service Animal Policy

It is the policy of ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app Illinois University that service animals assisting individuals with disabilities are permitted in all facilities, programs, and activities where students, employees, or members of the public are normally allowed access, except where the presence or behavior of the animal may compromise the health or safety of the animal or others, or fundamentally alters the nature of the program or activity. The current university Service Animal Policy can be located in the University Policy Manual here.

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Instructions and Policies

Requesting Text Conversion Services

The following outlines the process for requesting and receiving alternate format(s) of books and classroom materials for students registered with the Disability Resources in the Student Development and Success Center. 

• Whenever possible, the student should purchase the e-book version of their required textbook.
• The student must provide SDSC Disability Resources proof of a purchased/rented book upon making an alternative format request.
• Each textbook should be accompanied by an Alternative Format Request form.
• Requests received more than 2 weeks before the start of a new semester, will not need to be accompanied by a syllabus as the entire textbook will be converted.
• Requests made within 2 weeks of the start of a semester or after the semester starts, should be accompanied by a syllabus as we will need to prioritize your readings by date needed.
• If requests are not submitted at least two weeks before you need them, requested materials may not be available when needed.
• Proof of payment for books/materials must be provided to us before we are able to release converted materials to the student.
• We will make every attempt to request an electronic version of the textbook from the publisher.
• When we are unable to procure electronic versions from the publisher, we can convert books in-house.  In the process of scanning textbooks to convert, staff will cut the pages from the binding. When the conversion process is completed, upon the student’s request, we will rebind the textbook(s) and have it ready for the student to pick up. The Union Bookstore will buy back rebound textbooks under the same criteria as any other used textbooks.
• The student may not reproduce or distribute e-text in any other format nor can anyone else be allowed to do so. Any further reproduction or distribution is considered copyright infringement.
• The student will be notified at their ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app email address when books/materials are ready for pick up at the SDSC, 125 Memorial Hall.

Mission

A commitment to equity, social justice and diversity is embedded in the values of ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app Illinois University. We recognize disability as a naturally occurring aspect of the diversity of life that is integral to society and to the campus community. To that end, the Student Development and Success Center partners with the University community to create environments that are usable, equitable, inclusive and sustainable. ^{We promote awareness and access through training, partnerships, innovative programs and accommodations.}

Staff

     Director of Student Development & Success Center

     Jacquelyn Price

     jm-price@wiu.edu

     Associate Director of Student Development & Success Center

      Tim Greving

     tm-greving@wiu.edu

     Instructional Development Specialist

     Angela LaFrance

     ad-lafrance@wiu.edu

Quad Cities Campus

All students, whether on the Macomb, Quad Cities, or online campuses, should follow the same process for scheduling appointments related to Disability Resources (DR). For any questions specific to the Quad Cities campus, please feel free to reach out to Steve Sierra at sp-sierra@wiu.edu, or email disability@wiu.edu. For assistance with testing accommodations on the Quad Cities campus, students should contact Leslie Mose at la-mose@wiu.edu for further guidance.